Summary:

A freak accident during the Stanley Cup Playoffs put an end to Max Ashford’s hockey career. Despite everything, Max gets back into the game he loves—only this time, behind the bench as an assistant coach of the Spartanburg Spitfires, the worst team in the entire league. But nothing prepares him for the shock when he learns the new head coach is Misha Samarin, the man who caused Max’s accident.

After spending years guilt ridden for his part in Max’s accident, Russian native Misha Samarin has no idea what to do when he’s confronted with Max’s presence. Max’s optimism plays havoc with Misha’s equilibrium—as does the fierce attraction that springs up between them.

Not only must they navigate Misha’s remorse and a past he’s spent a lifetime trying to forget, but also a sleazy GM who is determined to use their history as a marketing hook. But when an unwelcome visitor targets a player, Misha revisits his darkest days, and that might cost him and Max the beginning they’ve worked so hard to build.

… in Max Avon Gale has created a caring and delicious character. The premise of the book is simple, Misha caused Max’s accident at a hockey match, and both of their hockey careers came to a close. The accident exacerbated Misha’s unbelievable sense of Russian guilt, and yet freed Max. Both men went into coaching, and found themselves as head and deputy coaches to a failing hockey team, the Spitfires. Max has been recruited specifically because of the accident and to cause publicity with Misha; but as they they get to know each other they realise that not only to they make a great team as coaches; they are also attracted to each other.

Max’s bisexuality is dealt with in such an accepted way, and in fact his acceptance of himself is one of the most attractive things about the book, Max is happy. He doesn’t really have issues, he faces things head on and pretty much says and does what he feels to be right. Once of the most endearing characters I have come across in contemporary romance in a very long time, he talks, he listens…

Max and Misha are a FANTASTIC couple and I loved their realism. I will definitely check out other books by Gale.

BTW, I haven’t read or listened to any of the other books in the series and had no problem enjoying this one. It’s a true standalone though I suspect having read the others might enhance this tale.

Narration Review:

I’ve listened to one other book narrated by Scott R. Smith and enjoyed it. I thought he did an even better job here. He’s definitely a narrator I won’t hesitate to listen to again. Nice tone and timbre and played out the emotions perfectly.

Links

I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with the audiobook of this title in exchange for my honest opinion.

Farewell Giveaway
I have a number of paperbacks, most of which are signed, to giveaway. Over the between now (11 Mar 2017) and 31 Mar 2017, every comment on the blog (this post and all other new posts), will be entered to win 1 of these paperbacks. There are also some misc swag items, so there will be a few packs of these to give away as well.

Thank you so much for your support over the last 4 years. Prism will be closing its doors on 1 April 2017. All content will remain available, but no new content will appear after 31 Mar 2017. As such all request forms have been turned off. Again Thank you,